"..Although CD-R drives are still in demand, they are expected to fade out gradually, leaving high-performance CD-R drives remaining in their place. Apart from the limited functions of CD-R drives, sources say that prices of CD-RW drives have fallen so far that they now pose a threat to CD-R drives. Some makers have already stopped producing CD-R drives, while others are planning to do so.

The speed game continues, with CD-R drives having been enhanced to write at eight-speed and CD-RW drives at four-speed. One maker predicted that 12-speed CD-R drives will be introduced early next year, and CD-RW drives with an eight-speed rewriting function will surface by the end of 2000.."